FIFA World Cup 2014 Group D

There were no easy groups in this tournament and England faced a tough task, especially in their opener in the Amazonian rain forest city of Manaus where humidity can reach 99%. Although they played well in spells they were not good enough to progress while Costa Rica suprised everyone with their adventurous and attacking style.

Uruguay 1 Costa Rica 3

Considered to be the small fry in Group D, Costa Rica stunned Uruguay with three goals in a breathtaking second half. Uruguay had led at half time from a penalty.

England

Italy

England 1 Italy 2

Arena da Amazônia, Manaus
14 June 2014

In an absorbing match full of attacking play from both sides, England gave it everything. Italy scored first through Claudio Marchisio but Sturridge put England back on terms within two minutes. Five minutes after the interval Balotelli restored Italy's lead and this time, England could not find a way through their opponent's defence.

Uruguay

England

Uruguay 2 England 1

Arena de São Paulo
19 June 2014

Uruguay were far better than in their last game and although England were by no means outclassed, they were in the end just not good enough. Luis Suárez opened the scoring and although Rooney levelled the score in the 75th minute, Suárez clinched it five minutes from the end.

Italy

Costa Rica

Italy 0 Costa Rica 1

Arena Pernambuco, Recife
20 June 2014

Costa Rica showed that their performance against Uruguay was no fluke by beating a below-par Italian team. Their goal came just before half-time when Ruiz headed Diaz's cross against the underside of the bar and the ball bounced down and over the line. This result meant that England were now eliminated while the Central Americans would go into the knock out stages.

Italy

Uruguay

Italy 0 Uruguay 1

Arena das Dunas, Natal
24 June 2014

A late goal by Godín put Uruguay through and Italy out in a bad tempered match that will be remembered more for an incident in which Luis Suarez appeared to bite an opponent. Earlier Italy's Marchisio had been dismissed for a reckless challenge.

Costa Rica

England

Costa Rica 0 England 0

Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
24 June 2014

Costa Rica were already through and England eliminated so there was nothing at stake in a tame draw.